A program that helps students earn performance-based scholarships to Loyola Marymount University will soon become available to an additional group of prospective applicants: community college transfer students.

LMU has entered into a partnership with the education startup RaiseMe to bring its performance-based scholarship platform to community college students planning to transfer to LMU's Westchester campus. Starting in 2018, these students will be able to earn micro scholarships for their academic achievements and progress while studying in two-year colleges, helping to chip away at tuition costs later on.

"We are proud to be an early adopter of RaiseMe's community college program, which seeks to make LMU a more realistic option for talented students previously held back by financial barriers," said Maureen Weatherall, LMU's vice provost for enrollment management. "This partnership is another example of our commitment to creating a viable pathway to an LMU education for students of all backgrounds."

LMU's community college partners include El Camino College, De Anza College, Cerritos College, Saddleback College, Santa Monica College, Fullerton College, Grayson Community College, Bellevue College and schools within the Los Angeles, San Mateo County and Maricopa community college districts.

Admission to LMU isn't guaranteed for RaiseMe participants, but the scholarship program helps to put them on the right path to meeting admission requirements; it offers community college students the opportunity to earn scholarships incrementally for measures of success, including academic and extracurricular progress, and also receive rewards for military service.

LMU is one of 25 four-year institutions to partner with RaiseMe during the first year of its community college transfer program. The university was also a charter member of the company's scholarship program for prospective high school applicants - which was established in 2014 and now extends to 265 colleges and universities.

Currently, RaiseMe's scholarship platform for community college students is open only to students in Florida and Texas as part of an initial pilot program launched in September 2017. RaiseMe's transfer program with LMU will be widely available to community college students in spring 2018. For more information, visit www.raise.me/transfers.

August 2 - In his prayer intention for the month of August 2018, Pope Francis says: "Together, let us ask Jesus that any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity.

July 31 - A festive Mass was concelebrated at Santa Clara Mission Church on July 31 with President Mike Engh, SJ, as main celebrant and homilist. The Santa Clara Jesuit Community concelebrated the liturgy with members and friends of the Santa Clara University Community in attendance.

July 30, 2018 - Fr. Provincial Scott Santarosa, SJ, initiates a year of prayer and discernment for Jesuits West Province. To assist in this process, each month a new prayer will be provided for Jesuits and friends to pray for the ministries of Jesuits West. To read Fr. Scott’s letter and the accompanying Fr. Pedro Arrupe prayer, click HERE.